Campbell Newman secretly “auditioned” Queensland’s top judges before rejecting them for the state’s Chief Justice job because they were arrogant and opposed reforms he believed could make the courts more affordable and transparent.

David Hinchliffe served as a Brisbane Labor councillor between 1988 and 2012, including four years between 2004 and 2008 when he was deputy to Liberal lord mayor Campbell Newman in an unprecedented power-sharing administration. An accomplished artist, Hinchliffe’s official parliamentary portrait of his friend and former foe was unveiled in a private event at Parliament House on Thursday night.

Former premiers Jeff Kennett and Campbell Newman, who overhauled the public service in Victoria and Queensland, have called on the Turnbull government to further streamline government agencies and appointments, with 156 full-time public officeholders claiming remuneration worth ­almost $64 million.